MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Mansfield community is mourning the loss of a 20-year-old student from The Ohio State University who was abducted by the 24-year-old father of her child, then shot to death after a police pursuit in Kentucky.
RELATED: OSU-Mansfield student and alleged abductor shot to death after police pursuit in Kentucky
Skylar Williams graduated from Madison High School in 2016, and teachers remember her as a talented young lady with the world ahead of her.
One former teacher remembered Williams dating Ty'rell Pounds, saying it was toxic then.
“She dated him in high school, and I can remember students telling her then, ‘You should not be with him,’ and if only she listened," said Laurie Dean, a former teacher of Williams at Madison High School in Mansfield.
Dean teaches cosmetology and said Williams was a joy to have in class, with the aspiration of becoming a hairstylist.
She hopes this tragedy will help other girls remove themselves from abusive relationships.
“Pay attention to warning signs, and if a guy is abusive at all, walk away," she said.
Court records obtained by News 5 show the two have a rocky past. In 2018, Pounds filed for a restraining order against Williams.
Records also show just this week, Pounds filed a motion for visitation of their baby boy, but the ruling was never made.
“It’s a very difficult situation to go through. It is typical of the Madison community to rally together and rally around each other," said Madison High Principal Rob Peterson.
Peterson said there will be counseling for any students and staff at the high school who need it during this difficult time.
The Ohio State University President Michael V. Drake released this statement:
"Our Ohio State community suffered a tragic loss with the death of Mansfield student Skylar Williams. This senseless and shocking incident has left our campus shaken. We join Mansfield Dean Norman Jones in expressing our condolences and deepest sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with Skylar’s family.
"Additional counseling and consultation services have been made available to members of the university community in need of support on our Mansfield campus. Mansfield students can utilize theStudent Assistance Program [newdirectionsforlife.com] and support services are also available tostudents, [ccs.osu.edu]faculty and staff [hr.osu.edu] across the university.
"Law enforcement continues to investigate all circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Ohio State Highway Patrol at 419-756-2222."
